2024-06-22 14:48:17
A counterfeit diabetes drug, Ozempic, containing the lively ingredient semaglutide, is circulating in a number of international locations. It could pose well being dangers.
The World Well being Group (WHO) is warning of counterfeit diabetes medication which have been in circulation since 2022. The issue exists in all areas of the world, the WHO reported in Geneva on Thursday. It particularly referred to finds in Nice Britain, the USA and Brazil since October 2023.
The case issues Ozempic, a drug containing the lively ingredient semaglutide, which can be authorized within the EU for the remedy of kind 2 diabetes – the counterfeit model appears to be like similar to the true drug. As a result of the product additionally suppresses urge for food, it’s more and more being prescribed for weight reduction.
Counterfeit medicines could not include the correct quantity of lively elements and thus result in uncontrolled blood sugar ranges in diabetics, experiences the WHO. They could additionally include different lively elements that pose a well being threat.
The WHO known as on medical doctors and pharmacists, regulators and the general public to be vigilant. All medicines ought to solely be purchased with a prescription from pharmacies and never on-line, the WHO stated. Customers ought to ensure that the dosage scale on insulin pens is displayed accurately, that the label appears to be like appropriate and that the packaging doesn’t include any spelling errors.
The European Medicines Company (EMA) had additionally warned of counterfeits of the diabetes drug Ozempic in autumn 2023. Counterfeit diabetes pens had appeared in varied EU international locations and Nice Britain, the EMA in Amsterdam introduced. The syringes with labels in German got here from wholesalers in Austria and Germany. The primary counterfeits appeared in Germany initially of October 2023. EU authorities, the police and a federal authority in Germany then started investigations.
In accordance with the Federal Institute for Drug Titles and Medical Gadgets (BfArM), no new Ozempic counterfeits have appeared in Germany in latest months. This was what a spokesperson stated when requested by “Apotheken Umschau”.